Wonderland Recovery Blog

We also want to let you know about a new series of addiction recovery videos launched in September, which is National Addiction Recovery Month. The videos feature segments with Bill Siddons, Bob Forrest, Slash, Dave Kushner and Ozzy Osbourne. We have received strong positive media attention and Web traffic for these pieces and are grateful to everyone who participated. They can be viewed online at http://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/.

MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LEGISLATION UPDATE -
Congress is making slow, but steady progress toward passage of insurance parity legislation guaranteeing coverage for mental health disorders. The Senate has passed the parity legislation. The House version has passed the House Education and and Labor Committee, as well as the House Ways and Means Committee. However, it is still awaiting final passage from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill must then pass the full House.

Both the House and Senate version require equality in deductibles and co-payments, for example, if health plans include treatment for both physical and mental disorders. But there are a number of differences, with backers of the House bill saying their measure provides more parity. Differences include coverage for “out-of-network” providers (the House version includes this provision, the Senate does not), as well as the final date for implementation once the legislation is passed.

One of the original sponsors of the House bill is Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI). The Senate bill is sponsored by his uncle, Sen Edward Kennedy (D-MA). The two will have to work out the differences in conference once the bill passes the House. Rep. Kennedy has already stated he will fight to get the House version passed by the full Congress.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that the constitutional dividing line between church and state has been violated by sentencing a parolee to go to Alcoholics Anonymous or any other 12 Step program.

Alcoholics Anonymous, is one of the most trusted and respected programs for the treatment of alcoholism and addiction. The court ruling sited the references in AA and other 12 Step based programs that reference “God”.

The court referenced the 2nd Step where it states “a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity” and the 3rd Step which asks a person to “turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

Friday’s 3-0 ruling allows a Honolulu man to go to trial in a suit on behalf of his late father, Ricky Inouye, who was paroled from a drug sentence in November 2000.

Wonderland Center is huge advocate of the 12 Steps! We believe in the effectiveness and support the 12 Step groups provide to our community. At the same time, we understand the court’s opinion.

Our goal is to help addicts and alcoholics achieve recovery. Currently, 12 Step programs in conjunction with medical and psychological teatment provide the most effective treatment for our community of recovering addicts and alcoholics. Early recovery is very difficult and 12 Step programs are effective, abundant, available and free.

We know that many people do not like to participate in 12 Step programs. Therefore, at Wonderland Center we provide alternative programs based on medical and psychological treatments. We treat each client at Wonderland Center individually. Our goal is for every client to find their own recovery, health and happiness.